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Author
Topic: Mexico (Read 17185 times)

I've seen a lot of posts about people traveling to Tiajuana for facial fillers etc. Has anyone had any work done at other border towns (southern Texas)? Possibly Monterrey or Nuevo Laredo?I'm just gathering info for future reference...

I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY CLOSE TO THE BORDER,I WISH THERE WERE CAUSE I LIVE IN SAN ANTONIO.I HAVE MADE TWO TRIPS TO CLINICA ESTETICA IN TIJUANA,ONE IN 2004 AND THE SECOND JUST LAST MONTH.THEY ARE NOW USING "PRECISE AND THE RESULTS ARE AMAZING ,SO I HAVE SCHEDULED MY SECOND AND LAST APPT FOR APRIL 20.FROM SAN ANTONIO I FOUND A ROUND TRIP FLIGHT AND A NICE HOTEL FOR ONE NIGHT FOR 308.00 WHICH SEEMS PRETTY GOOD TO ME!!

Pippet: I'm concerned that you'd put an emphasis on location instead of the experienced eye and hand of a cosmetic medicine practitioner. You would want to go with a person who is proven and experienced in his or her field. Someone with years of experience. Currently, that would be in Rio, Tijuana or Europe. Some in US--at a significant difference in cost.

Why am I always surprised that people are willing to travel to a third-world country for cosmetic procedures -- just because it's cheap?!

PMMA is currently legal in the US. There is no reason to go to Tiajuana to get your cheeks puffed up. If you decide to use medical-grade silicone, the other permanent filler, there are reputable doctors in the US (and Europe, where it's been used for over 20 years) who are specialists with that. People seem pleased with both.

I sometimes wonder if this board isn't being used as a marketing tool for Clinica Estetica. When I read some of the material on their website, I was shocked by agressive sell. It's great that there are options out there, but I see no ethical reason for physicians to compete in a "market", or to discredit each other with dubious remarks.

Why am I always surprised that people are willing to travel to a third-world country for cosmetic procedures -- just because it's cheap?!

PMMA is currently legal in the US. There is no reason to go to Tiajuana to get your cheeks puffed up. If you decide to use medical-grade silicone, the other permanent filler, there are reputable doctors in the US (and Europe, where it's been used for over 20 years) who are specialists with that. People seem pleased with both.

I sometimes wonder if this board isn't being used as a marketing tool for Clinica Estetica. When I read some of the material on their website, I was shocked by agressive sell. It's great that there are options out there, but I see no ethical reason for physicians to compete in a "market", or to discredit each other with dubious remarks.

Soolip, you are shocked by Estetica Clinics' aggressive sell, eh? It's about $1200-$1500 per cc in US for PMMA. It's $120-$150 per cc for PMMA in Mexico. Consider, there are slight differences in the PMMA formula each clinic uses. Lets move from pricing to the years of experienced cosmetic clinicians in those two "third world countries". The many years of combined skill and proven methods of those "third world countries" have laid the foundation for US approval. Also European markets have factored in their statistics and experience. Those people at the Rio clinic and Mexican clinic have helped many, many HIV+ lipo sufferers. I get the impression you'd find it perfectly acceptable for US doctors to be agressive and competitive sellers of products but not those of third world country clinics. The clinic in Mexico and Rio constantly have to battle the stigma that people like you enjoy bestowing on them. They are not inferior, in fact.What the heck is wrong with third world country physicians or clinicians? Their practices are sound, safe and clinics are clean. Many people can't afford the inflated prices in the US. They can't afford a flight + accommodations + procedure costs in Europe either. What should they do? I have been to the Clinic in Mexico and I know it's safe and professionally run. What should I do when someone post for lipo info? I choose to offer advice. Nothing mandatory implied.

Yes, I'm only voicing my opinion about the prices in the US being ridiculous. It's my assessment when I analyze the differences in pricing. By the way, this forum is not a marketing tool for the Clinic in Mexico. It's an open forum of opinions and referrals with regards to lipo and facial wasting troubles.I will also add, the clinics and doctors in Europe and US will be fine too. Just expensive.

Well, it's important for both sides of the story to be posted, and I stand by my opinion. My face is important to me, and I wouldn't risk screwing it up -- even if I had to pay more money. So for me, going to Mexico, Tiajuana of all places (!), is out of the question.

The doctors in Tiajuana and Rio have years of experience with PMMA. In fact they are pioneers in the field of facial reconstruction. Why on earth would you go to some Doctor in LA and pay ten times as much as you would in Rio or Tijuana knowing that you would be one of the first people he or she has used PMMA on. Ask the American doctor you are thinking about going to if you can speak to any of his or her patients about their experience. I know there are plenty of people who have been to Doctor Casavantes, Dr. Serra and to Clinic Estetica that would be happy to share their results with you.

Before my first visit to Clinic Estetica in Tijuana, I told a few people of my plans. One friend was shocked that I would consider going to a place like Tijuana to have my face restored. He imagined that I would be having my face pumped up with unsanitary junk in some sleazy backroom operation.

Even after talking to several satisfied patients, I had my own fears about the trip. I decided that if, after entering the clinic, I had any misgivings or the slightest unease about the sanitary standards or the professionalism of the staff, I would simply walk out.

My fears proved completely groundless. The office was modern, comfortable, and spotless. Everyone spoke perfect English. On each of my two visits, the doctor spent nearly thirty minutes with me before the procedure to explain everything and to answer my questions and concerns. During the procedure, the doctor and assistant both wore surgical masks. My experience in Tijuana was, in every way, superior to the treatment I received at the two doctors' offices in San Francisco where I had received Sculptra injections. Most important, the results were great! I now look in the mirror and see a healthy looking person. It's made a huge difference in my life.

I paid a total of $2,050 for my two treatments plus another $200 in airfare for the two trips from Oakland to San Diego. (At the time of my treatment, "Precise" was $100 per cc. The extra $50 was for antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory.) No allergy test was needed because "Precise" does not contain bovine collagen.

On each of the two visits, I stayed overnight at the first-class Hotel Lucerna (a five-minute walk from the clinic) for $95 a night.

Artefill costs $1,000 for each 0.8 cc vial. In the U.S., my procedure would cost over $22,000 for the Artefill product. Doctor's fees would be extra.

I have no connections with the Clinic Estetica other than as a patient. I receive absolutely no benefit from them for any complimentary comments I make about their practice.

Allan, very nicely detail post of your trip/procedure which I think will be beneficial to those who come to this forum researching this procedure, product, or clinic. To enhance the validity of your words, I know an internal medicine doctor who goes to the clinic in Mexico for facial work. Other clients are lawyers, models and other high profile professionals who would not venture into a place of questionable practices. I had referrals provided who I phoned before I made my first appointment. Like you, Alan, I had same speculative fears. The immediate area is safe too......so you can easily walk to Lucerna Hotel from the clinic. This particular clinic also does a whole lot of other body/face/arm/leg/lip enhancing procedures.....as well as some minor facial deformity reconstructions. One of the clients was born with a birth deformity of a concaved facial cheek. The same procedure that anyone of us would be involved with, transformed him to look just as normal as anyone else. Other people who frequent the business, I was told, are clients from L.A. who want to enhance their butts or lips or some facet of facial features. Models and young actors. and the like. BTW, those who are not HIV+ pay full price for Precise. Roughly, the same price levels as the current U.S. prices. Anna Love, the founder and director, has great compassion for HIV sufferers. She spent some time in Europe to study and did her homework before offering the best of PMMA product through her clinic. xxx,Mike(gets off soap box)

Retraction of information given in post: In reply #5, I posted Europe as one of the places where the lipo facial wasting can be done--using PMMA products. This is obviously a surmise on my part. Finding a doctor in Europe to do this procedure is liken to finding a needle in a haystack. Just wanted to amend my post. Rio, Tijuana and US are the places to seek out the procedure. xxx,Mike

I just got back from TJ Dr. Casavantes did my second treatment in my butt and face and once again I am very happy with the results. I just wanted to pass on some info about hotels. Last time I stayed at the Lucerna great hotel. This time I stayed at the Camino Real. The Camino Real is a great hotel, but the beds are like slabs of concrete. The staff was very accommodating but apparently all of their beds are like that. If you are planning to stay there I would switch to the Lucerna.

brian, well i'm off this friday to clinic estetica for my second and probably the last treatment and i actualyy got a great deal for a flight and hotel stay in san diego for 300.00 round trip!!!i think that a great deal for the whole trip.

OF COURSE THIS BOARD IS USED AS A GOOD MARKETING TOOL FOR CLINIC ESTETICA.

Can You imagine, the owner of clinic estetica is Ana Love Who is jewish. Do You think that She wonder about your face, NOOOO of course nooo, she only wants money.

Sorry but this is my feeling.

Go to Doctors Who don't use this board as a marketing tool, They have money to pay adds where ever They want.

You think Clinic Estetica and this forum have an agreement for marketing? Foolish notion. The best marketing tool Clinic Estetica has is me...and clients like me.... who have had services rendered by the clinic. It's referred to as 'word of mouth' advertising. I've been to the Mexico clinic several times and have met Anna Love. Great person. Over the last three years, she has reset and adjusted prices for the filler products so HIVers can access facial reconstruction from the ravages of 'wasting'. To put it plainly, people with HIV pay only a tenth of what a non-HIV client would pay. BTW, do you know any business which remains vital and active which does not show profit margin. I don't. Confe, you discredit yourself with your own post. It's racial in tone and intent. It's an idiotic attack.Kiss my grits.Mike

OF COURSE THIS BOARD IS USED AS A GOOD MARKETING TOOL FOR CLINIC ESTETICA.

Can You imagine, the owner of clinic estetica is Ana Love Who is jewish. Do You think that She wonder about your face, NOOOO of course nooo, she only wants money.

Sorry but this is my feeling.

Go to Doctors Who don't use this board as a marketing tool, They have money to pay adds where ever They want.

Just to let everyone know, I banned this user immediately, without a warning or a Time-Out. I will not tolerate such blatant antisemitism on our boards. Just so everyone's clear, our TO and warning policy is mostly for flamewars. Blatant bigotry, of any form, always results in an immediate and permanent ban.

The clinic will happily make arrangements at the Lucerno Hotel for you. If you are having butt work done you need to stay overnight in Mexico. Getting back to San Diego from clinic: Just take a cab from the clinic to the border ($6 to $8) then fall in line to get past border/customs inspectors building. Once on the USA side the San Ysidro Trolley station is only a few steps away. (literally) The blue line northbound (BLUE OLD TOWN) takes you back to San Diego city center and points beyond. About an hour from border to downtown. If you are really tight on funds at this point, check out the Occidental Hotel in San Diego for variable rates. They offer a variety of accommodation levels: European style rooms (shared shower rooms/toilet facilities. ratio is three rooms per shower/toilet closets) or American style where you have your own bathroom. Very clean and well maintained. Newly renovated. Just don't get assigned the room directly above the front entrance door. It slams shut everytime someone uses it. It will wake you all through the night on weekends--till 2 am. Happy Hunting, cher.Mike

Hi all, I will bein San Diego on 25/01 planing on crossing the border to TJ for a treatment at clinica estetica fir doing butt, hips, leggs ... I will have my VISA to usa by then but for some of u who crossed the border to TJ were there any special requirements except the passport / visa ?

well i did check it I just wanted to be sure, i don't think its matter if americans of israeli has any difference while crossing the border to Mexico , for that matter , we will have an american visa so our time inthe usa is just for the fun but crossing the border to Mexico , well i hope it will go ok,

Top urgent , I am going forto mexico through ny and san diego, i read somewhere that hiv+ are not allowed to enter into the usa, is that correct? feels like I am in a bad movie... how could it be? am I suppose to declare i am hiv once enter into tthe usa? i will take the drugs with me , i will store them in vitamins packages , do u think it will work? i have tickets and traveling visa , I am so scare thy wont let me in.

i've been to TIJUANA (CLINCA ESTETICA) SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS.BESIDES how would they know that you are hiv+,it's not like they ask at the border.I was surprised that so many people from all over the world go to TIJUANA for their treatments especially cancer.THEY told me that this is the only place where they can find good doctors who are willing to treat them at an affordable price.I myself have gone for the pmma treatments.

i've been to TIJUANA (CLINCA ESTETICA) SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS.BESIDES how would they know that you are hiv+,it's not like they ask at the border. ...... I myself have gone for the pmma treatments.

Me too. I lug my overnight bag with me when crossing the border, and back again, with no questions directed at the meds. In fact, they don't search my bags or anything like that. All bags and purses go through a scan like at the airport and never a question in 3 trips (6 crossings). Of course, the fact that I have several pinholes in my face and it's swollen like a balloon kind of gives them a hint i came for some sort of treatment. OK, i exaggerate a bit. It's not swollen that much; just a little.

Mike M

P.S. There was a group of middle eastern folks ahead of me at the border crossing last time I crossed back into USA. No special interrogations or anything different than anyone else.

you don't understand - i am not coming from the usa to tj i am coming to tj throu the usa and my question was about the usa border , that ther eis this law that wont let u in if you are not usa citizen and coming for travel or what so ever...

but i am taking the meds with me, and i was adviced i should have a letter with me just incase from the dr. that says i take these drugs(kaletra,videx, viread) aprescribed by him for a chronic deasise... i am not going to take the meds in there regular package but in the box that splitte dinto cells for days and night and day... and I will not put it with my handbag but with another bag i will also take with me with the shampoo and everything... is this ok ?